By Chris Parker
Strafford baseball has a new head coach in Jim Cooney this season.
“This is my first season as head coach at Strafford. I’ve been an assistant coach at Strafford for three seasons,” Cooney said. “My expectations are high. We have an experienced team. If they take it one pitch at a time, and keep their focus, they could do great things. This is their team, their game, and we as coaches are there to support them in any way we can to help them achieve their goals.”
Seven starters return from last season’s 19-win team.
Seniors Crue Crawford and Eli Clark will anchor the pitching staff.
Crawford returns to the mound after not being able to pitch as a junior due to injury. He hit .370 with 8 RBI and 8 stolen bases.
“Crue is coming off his junior season where he did not pitch due to injury,” Cooney said. “He’s healthy this year and looking to play a big role on the mound. Crue was one of our top pitchers his freshman and sophomore years. He has a good fastball he can throw to both sides of the plate. His curveball is one of the best in the area, and he also features a slider and change-up. Crue has a calm demeanor on the mound and doesn’t let anything get to him.”
Clark is a left-handed pitcher who was 4-4 with a 3.14 ERA last season. At the plate, Clark provided a .284 batting average with 19 RBI and 8 stolen bases.
“Eli was our best pitcher last year, leading our team with 49 innings pitched,” Cooney said. “He has a plus curveball from the left side, can throw his fastball to both sides of the plate, and his change-up keeps hitters off-balance. Eli has pitched for us since his freshman year and has a ton of experience.”
Brayden Choate is a junior catcher entering his third season starting. He drove in 20 runs with a .269 batting average last season.
“Brayden has started behind the plate for us since his freshman year,” Cooney said. “In my opinion, he’s the best defensive catcher in the area. He is a plus receiver and blocker, and handles the pitching staff well. Last year he had a breakout season at the plate, anchoring the middle of our lineup.”
The infield will feature Colton Dampier (junior, first base), Hudson Turner (sophomore, second base), Lucas Gilmore (junior, second base), JT Mullings (sophomore, shortstop) and Landen Rhodes (senior, third base).
Rhodes was a terror on the bases offensively last season with 20 stolen bases to go with 20 RBI. Dampier hit .354 with 17 total hits on the season. Turner and Gilmore each hit .250 in 2025. Mullings drove in 16 runs and stole 7 bases with 23 hits.
In the outfield, look for Tyler Hunt (senior, left field), Jake Shetler (sophomore, left field), Crue Crawford (senior, centerfield) and Eli Clark (senior right field).
Hunt hit .269 with 15 RBI and 18 hits. Shetler hit .321 with nine total hits.
Shetler and Turner each saw varsity action as freshmen and come in much improved this season.
“Both were freshmen last year and worked their way into a good amount of varsity playing time,” Cooney said. “They each are very hard workers and play the game very aggressively. Both have gained height and size, each getting stronger and working hard in the weight room. Both are left-handed hitters and should give us a lot of versatility in our lineup.”
Cooney will look to the senior trio of Rhodes, Clark and Crawford to provide leadership.
“These three seniors have been starters since their freshman year,” Cooney said. “They are quiet leaders, lead by example, and work very hard. Our kids look to them because they each stay calm in stressful situations.”
Cooney will look for the team to take a step forward offensively.
“We need to improve on hitting and having quality at bats,” Cooney said. “We only hit .274 as a team last season. We also graduated 82 innings on the mound from last season. We have solid pitching, but more guys are going to have to step up to make up for those lost innings and play a bigger role.”
Strafford opens the season on Mar. 20 at home against Warsaw.
“Overall, experience will be one of our strengths,” Cooney said. “We return several starters that have made an impact for us for two or three seasons already. We also have three sophomores that will make a big impact due to their talent, and varsity experience last season. Our defense should be solid, especially our outfield play. In my opinion, we will have one of the best defensive outfields in the area.”
